Suction clearer for textile rolls and method



y 1960 M. G. WHITEHURST ETAL 2,934,797

I SUCTION CLEARER FOR TEXTILE ROLLS AND METHOD 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 1, 1957 Ill May 3, 1960 2,934,797

M. G. WHITEHURST ET AL SUCTION CLEARER FOR TEXTILE ROLLS AND METHOD Filed May 1, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 To SUCTION 5OURCE- MARQUS G-WHWE uuasT and Toe R.WH\TEHUKST- INVENTORS ATTORNEY$ y 1960 M. G. WHITEHURST ETAL 7 2,934,797

SUCTION CLEARER FOR TEXTILE ROLLS AND METHOD Filed May 1, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 MARcus G.WH\TEHuRs1- and Joe 12. WHITE H NEST,

INVENTORS Byenhmw g ATTORNEYS May 3, 1960 M. G. WHITEHURST ETAL SUCTION CLEARER FOR TEXTILE ROLLS AND METHOD Filed May 1, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 MARcus G. WHITEHURST am JOE. R. WHITEHUEST.

INVENTORS BY L w,-4 g) ATTORNEYS May 3, 1960 M. G. WHITEHURST ETAL SUCTION CLEARER FOR TEXTILE ROLLS AND METHOD 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 1, 1957 United States SUQTIGN CLEARER FOR TEXTILE ROLLS AND METHOD Application May 1, 1957, Serial No. 656,247

13 Claims. (Cl. 19-439) This invention generally relates to improvements in the art of clearing textile rolls, especially fluted drafting rolls, of drawing frames and similar textile machinery to prevent accumulation of broken ends, fly, lint and other waste material from collecting on the cylindrical roll surfaces.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved method and means for collecting and removing residual fibrous material from textile rolls of the type having enlarged medial portions or fluted portions thereon wherein a substantial portion of the periphery of an enlarged portion of a textile roll is confined throughout its length, with the confining means extending outwardly beyond at least one end of the enlarged portion of the roll and suction currents being created within the confining means so air is caused to fiow in either or both ends of the confining means and generally longitudinally of the confined area of the roll, and wherein the edges of the confining means adjacent the roll are or may be completely devoid of any form of wiper elements.

It is another object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus of the character described wherein the edges of the confining means adjacent the enlarged portion of the roll are disposed in such close proximity to the periphery of the enlarged portion of the roll as to only be out of contact with said enlarged portion while minimizing leakage of air between the edges of the confining means and the periphery of the enlarged portion of the roll.

It is well known that the fluted portions or boss portions of textile rolls are of relatively large diameter as compared to the roller necks or reduced journal portions thereof. The reduced journal portions of the drafting rolls of drawing frames, in particular, are generally mounted in bearing members which are, in turn, positioned in roll stands, the ends of the bearing members being spaced from the enlarged fluted or boss portions of the corresponding rolls.

It is therefore another object of this invention to provide confining means of the character described comprising suction heads which are particularly devised for use with rolls mounted in the manner last described, wherein closure means is provided for opposite ends of each of the suction heads, which closure means is shaped to conform with and bear against bearing members spaced from opposite ends of the fluted or boss portions of the rolls, thus providing air ingress openings for the corresponding suction head which are disposed between the opposite ends of the bosses or fluted portions of each roll and the proximal ends of the bearing members.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a top plan view of the improved clearer apparatus showing the same mounted on a drawing frame, with portions of the drawing frame and the apparatus broken away;

i Figure 2 is an enlargedlongitudinal vertical sectional ice view, mostly in elevation and with parts broken away, and being taken substantially along line 2-2 in Figure 1;

Figuie 3 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially alongline 33 in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical view taken substantially along line 4--4 in Figure 3 and showing in, particular, how each end of the upper and lower suction heads bear against corresponding bearing members;

Figure 5 is an inverted sectional plan view looking upwardly substantially along line 55 in Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an isometric view showing a pairof top and bottom rolls with portions of the bearing members in which opposite ends thereof are journaled and showing the corresponding suction heads cooperating therewith;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional View taken substantially along line 77 in Figure 4;

Figure 8 is an isometric View similar to Figure 6 showing a modified form of suction head;

Figure 9 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 99 in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially along line Iii-10 in Figure 8, the central portion being broken away, and showing portions of corresponding roll stands associated therewith.

In the drawings, the present method is carried out by means of an improved clearing apparatus shown in association with a textile drawing frame, although it is to be understood that the improved clearer apparatus may be used in association with any type of textile machine having rolls for attenuating or drafting fibrous strands, such as a spinning frame, roving frame or the like. Also, the drawing frame shown herein is provided with four sets of top and bottom drafting rolls in each roll section, but it is to be understood that a greater or lesser number of drafting rolls may be employed and that all the drafting rolls need not be of the fluted type.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 broadly designates a frame of the drawing frame or machine including a head-end frame member 11 which contains conventional driving mechanism, not shown, and which supports one end of a beam 12 on which a plurality of longitudinally spaced roll stand supports are mounted, there being four such roll stand supports shown in Figures 1 and 2 indicated at 13, 14, 15 and 16. The beam 12 is also supported by a foot-end frame member 17. The rear side of the machine appears in the lower portion of Figure 1 and is shown partially in section in Figure 2 wherein it will be observed that the rear portions of the roll stand supports 313 through 16 support a platform 20 (see also Figure 3).

The forward portions of the roll stands 13 through 16 each supports a plurality of substantially U-shaped bearing blocks or roll stands 21 which roll stands support a plurality of roll series or sections, there being four such roll sections shown in Figure 1 generally designated at A, B, C and D, the proximal portions of the roll sections C, D being broken away.

The roll stand supports 13 and 16 (Figure 2) may be termed as head-end and foot-end supports and the roll stand supports 14 and 15 may be termed as intermediate roll stand supports. In this instance, each of the roll sections A, B, C, D includes four pairs of serially arranged top rolls and bottom rolls, both the top and bottom roils usually being fluted as shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7.

The bottom rolls in each series or section are indicated at 31 through 34 inclusive, reading from the rear of the machine forwardly, and the top rolls or weight rolls of each section are indicated at 35 through 38 inclusive. The bottom rolls in each section are connected with the corresponding axially alined bottom rolls of the next adjacent section by means of roller portions 40 (Figure 4-) which are journaled in tubular bearing members 41 having reduced medial portions 43 positioned upon the bottom of substantially U-shaped grooves 42 formed in the corresponding intermediate roll stands 21.

Enlarged opposite on s of each bearing member 41 are preferably of substantially the same diameter as the pitch diameter of the fluted portions 44 of the corresponding bottom rolls. Each of the bottom rolls is provided with a reduced portion 45 disposed between the fluted portion or boss 44 thereof and the enlarged end of the corresponding bearing member 41 (Figures 4 and 6).

necks or reduced The distal ends of the bottom rolls in sections A, D

are mountedin respective roll stands or bearing blocks 21a, 21b in substantially the same manner in which the proximal endsof adjacent bottom rolls are mounted in the intermediate roll stands 21 as heretofore described. Corresponding reduced ends of the bottom rolls in section A extend into the head member 11 and are driven at progressively increasing speeds from the rear to the front in a well-known manner.

As is usual, the top rolls in each roll section are separate from the top rolls of the adjacent section or sections, and each end of each top roll has a reduced journal portion integral therewith which is journaled in a hearing member 52 having a reduced portion 53 guided for vertical sliding movement in a corresponding bearing block 21, 21a or 21b, as the case may be. As best shown in Figure 4 the enlarged end of each bearing member 52 is disposed outwardly of the corresponding roll stand and each of these enlarged portions is provided with a peripheral groove 54 for receiving the hooked upper end of a corresponding weight link 55.

The lower end of each of the links 55 has a suitable weighting means connected thereto which is embodied in a weight member 56 connected to the corresponding link by means of a weight arm 57. Like the bottom rolls, each of the top rolls is also provided with an enlarged fluted or boss portion 66 which is spaced from the enlarged portion of the corresponding bearing member 52 by an intermediate reduced neck portion 61. The en larged portion of each bearing member 52 is also preferably of a diameter substantially the same as the pitch diameter of the fluted portions 60 of the corresponding rolls. Of course, in the event of smooth-face bosses being provided on the rolls, the diameter of the enlarged end of bearing members 52 need only be less than the diameter of the boss portions 60.

The parts heretofore described are conventional parts vof a drawing frame and it is with such or similar parts that the present invention is adapted to be associated, it being well known that the roll stands 21, 21a and 211') are adjustably mounted on the corresponding roll stand supports 13, 14, 15 and 16 in a conventional manner to permit adjustment of the rolls in each section relative to each other, depending upon the length of the fibers in the material being processed.

In carrying out the present method a confining means is provided for partially confining each of the textile rolls 31 through 38 in each section A, B, C, D. All the confining means of the first form of the invention shown in Figures 1 through 7 are substantially identical and are shown in the form of elongated housings, nozzles or suction heads. The suction head associated with each of the top rolls is broadly designated at 65 and the sue tion head associated with each of the bottom rolls is broadly designated at 65. Since the bottom suction heads 65' are substantially the same as the top suction heads 65, only the top suction heads 65 will be described in detail and like parts associated with the bottom suction heads 65' will bear the same reference characters with the prime notation added.

Each of the suction heads 65 is open or slotted throughout the length of the portion thereof adjacent the corresponding roll and includes opposed longitudinally extending side walls 66, 67 whose upper portions are connected together by a curved upper wall 70 preferably formed integral with the side walls 66, 67. The side walls 66, 67 and corresponding portions of the top wall extend upwardly in converging relationship from opposite ends of the suction head 65 so as to provide a greater air capacity at the center of each suction head 65 as compared to the opposite end portions thereof.

Opposite ends of the suction head 65 are at least partially closed by closure end members which may be formed integral with the side and top walls 66, 67, 7t and 71 whose 'lower edges are each provided with a curved surface or arcuate cavity 72 of a radius substantially conforming to the radius of the enlarged P01? tion of the corresponding bearing member 52 so the suction head 65 may be supported upon the enlarged portions of corresponding bearing members 52 in accurate relation to the fluted or boss portions 60 of corresponding top rolls. It is particularly desirable that the distance between the opposed side walls 66, 67, at the lower edges thereof, does not exceed the outside diameter of the fluted portion 60 and is preferably substantially less than the outside diameter of the fluted portion 60 as shown in Figure 7 so the lower edges of the walls 66, 67 of each suction head 65 may be provided with arcuate surfaces 74, 75 thereon which are formed substantially concentric with the arcuate surfaces 72 formed in the end closure members 71, but which are of a radius substantially equal to or slightly greater than-the radius of the external surfaces of the ridges formed by the flutes 60 of the corresponding top rolls.

It has been found desirable to provide a clearance between the edges 74, 75 of the respective side walls 66, 67 and the cylindrical or exterior surface of the corresponding top rolls of from five ten thousandths of an inch to five thousandths of an inch in order to minimize leakage of air between said edges 74, 75 and the periphery of the corresponding top roll. In other words, the displacement between the surfaces 74, 75 of the respective side walls 66, 67 of each suction head 65 and the periphery of the corresponding roll should be held to a minimum, just so long as the surfaces 74, 75 do not contact the periphery of the corresponding roll.

One way in which the surfaces 74, 75 may be formed concentric with the surfaces 72 on the end closure members 71, and so the surfaces 74, 75 may be accurately spaced from the periphery of the corresponding roll when installed, is to move the open end of the corresponding suction head 65 into engagement with an abrading tool, reamer or other cutting tool having opposite end portions thereof of a diameter equal to the diameter of the enlarged portions of the bearing members 52 and having an enlarged medial portion of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the roll adjacent which the correspending suction head 65 is to be installed.

The outer end of each suction head; that is, the upper end of each suction head 65 and the lower end of each suction head 65' has an air passageway therein. To this end, the top wall 70 of each top suction head 65 has a hollow neck or projection communicatively connected to the central portion thereof, which hollow projection 86 has a round tubular extension 81 integral therewith and extending substantially parallel to the general longitudinal axis of the suction head 65 and the corresponding top roll. Cf course, each lower suction head 65 is provided with a hollow neck 8% and a tubular extension 81 which are identical to the hollow neck 89 and tubular extension 81 of the upper suction head 65.

Although it is desirable that the proximal surfaces of the lower edges of the walls 66, 67 of each suction head 65 are spaced a lesser distance apart than the diameter of the enlarged portion of the corresponding roll, as stated above, it is contemplated that the distance between the lower edges of the walls 66, 67 may be slightly head 65 may be more readily machined to provide the desired clearance between the Walls of the hood or suction head and the periphery of the enlarged portion of the corresponding roll by initially forming the lower edges of the walls 66, 67 of each suction head 65 at lesser distance therebetween than the diameter of the corresponding portion of the corresponding roll.

Now, referring especially to Figures 1 and 3 it will be observed that the open ends of the tubular projections 81 of the suction heads 65 each face in the opposite direction from the opening in the tubular portion 81 of the adjacent suction head 65 in the same roll section. In other words, the air exhaust openings in the tubular projections 81 face in opposite directions in alternation. While this may not be entirely necessary, it is desirable due to the necessary close proximity of adjacent top and bottom rolls, since each of the tubular projections 81 has a pliable or flexible conduit 82 connected thereto which, for the sake of convenience, is preferably of greater external diameter than the diameter of the top and bottom rolls in each section.

It will be observed in Figures 1, 2 and 3 that each of thesets of bearing blocks or roll stands 21, 21a, 21b has an elongated hollow header or manifold overlying the same, the manifolds disposed above the respective roll stand supports 13, 1 1, 15 and 16 being indicated at 83, 84, 85 and 86. The manifolds 83 through 86 may be secured' to the corresponding sets of roll stands 21, 21a, 21b, but are preferably spaced therefrom or rest lightly upon the same in order to permit the roll stands in each set to be adjusted relative to each other. Thus, it will be observed that the manifolds 83 through 36 extendrearwardly of the corresponding roll stands and are fixed to the upper ends of respective posts or standards 87 whose lower ends rest upon and are suitably secured to the plate 20.

Referring again to Figures 1 and 3, it will be observed that the tubes or conduits 82 extending from the first and third suction heads 65 above the roll section A are communicatively connected to the head-end manifold 83 while the conduits 82 extending from the second and fourth suction heads 65 in the roll section A are communicatively connected to corresponding sides of the intermediate manifold 34. The conduits $2 extending from the first and third suction heads 65 above the roll section B are communicatively connected to the opposite side of the intermediate manifold 84 from that side to which the two conduits 82 from the roll section A are connected while the second and fourth conduits 82 extending from the suction heads 65 in the roll section B are communicatively connected to corresponding sides of the second intermediate manifold 85, the conduits 82 in the roll sections C and D also being similarly arranged.

As best shown in Figures 2 and 3, the rear portions of the manifolds 83 through 86 have respective elbow pipe fittings 93 through 96 communicatively connected thereto which are connected to rigid substantially vertical conduits or pipes 100 through 1113, respectively, by means of relatively short flexible or pliable tubes or conduits 105 through 108, respectively. The lower ends of the rigid conduits 100 through 103 are communicatively connected to a common substantially horizontal main duct 111 which extends substantially throughout the length of the combined roll sections A, B, C and D and may be suitably secured to the beam 12 of the frame 11). To this end, the beam 12 is provided with a plurality of rearwardly extending projections "112, only one of which is shown in Figure 3.

Eachof the projections 112 has a concave outer surface 113 in which the corresponding portion of the main duct 111 is seated, the main. duct 111 being held against each block or projection 112 by means of a substantially C-shaped strap member 114 whose rear ends are suitably secured to the upper and lower ends of the corresponding projection 112. Opposite ends of the main duct 111 are closed, preferably by means of removable closure caps 115.

A conduit is communicatively connected to a medial portion of, and depends from, the main duct 111, the other end of the conduit 120 being connected to a suitable source of suction, not shown. The conduit 120 may be connected to the usual vacuum system provided in most mills for directing lint, other fibers and foreign matter to a common place in the mill.

It is evident that an individual collecting and suction means or blower may be associated with a pipe or conduit 120 associated with each drawing frame, spinning frame or the like, and will induce vacuum currents in the main duct 111 and will thereby withdraw excess lint, fibers and other foreign matter, removed from t e top and bottornroll's of each roll section into a common receptacle disposed adjacent to or remote from the drawing frame.

As heretofore stated, the lower suction heads 65' are substantially the same as the upper suction heads 65 and, as best shown in Figure 5, the flexible or pliable conduits 82 of each roll section extend outwardly in opposite directions in alternation from the respective tubular extensions 81. Alternative flexible conduits 82' are communicatively connected to a manifold 122 and the other flexible conduits 82' associated with the same roll section are connected to a manifold 123. Thus, a pair of manifolds 122, 123 is provided between each adjacent pair of roll stand suports and extends substantially parallel to the roll stand suports.

It will be observed in Figure 2 that the rear ends of the lower right-hand manifolds 123 are connected to the respective rigid conduits 101, 102-and 103. The lefthand lower manifold 122 in roll section A (Figure 2) is the only one of the manifolds 122 connected to one of the rigid conduits communicating with an upper manifold,

this manifold 122 being connected to the upright conduit 100. The remaining manifolds 122 merely extend rearwardly and then curve downwardly and are communicatively connected to the main duct 111.

In order to assist in supporting the main duct 111 and to also maintain each of the manifolds 122, 123 in proper position adjacent the corresponding roll stand supports, each lower manifold 122, 123 is clampingly secured in a substantially C-shaped bracket 125 whose free ends are urged toegther by a screw 128 (Figure 3). Each C- shaped clamp member 125 is suitably secured to or integral with a standard 129 suitably secured to the upper surface of the beam 12 of the frame 10.

Any suitable means may be provided for releasably maintaining the closure means 71 at opposite ends of each lower suction head 65' in engagement with the corresponding enlarged portions of the bearing members 41. j In this instance, it will be observed in Figure 4 that each closure end portion 71' is provided with a groove or notch 126 therein which is adapted to be engaged by the rounded free end of a spring-loaded plunger or detent 127 guided for substantially horizontal movement in a housing 130 threaded into a lower portion of a corresponding roll stand. The plunger or detent 127 is normally urged outwardly by a compression spring 131 which bears against a shoulder 132 formed on the plunger 127.

As heretofore stated, the edges of the side walls 66, 67 and 66', 67 of the respective suction heads 65, 65 are disposed in such close proximity to the peripheries of enlarged fluted or boss portions 60 and 44 of the corresponding rolls as to substantially prevent passage of air therebetween. However, since the opposite ends of each suction head extend beyond opposite ends of the enlarged sponding suction head.

portion or boss of the corresponding drafting roll, this provides an air ingress opening at opposite ends of each suction head adjacent the corresponding roller'neck or bearing member. Since air is drawn from each of the suction heads 65, 65' at its central portion and away from the edges of the side walls thereof disposed adjacent the corresponding textile or drafting roll, the air is drawn through the openings defined between the enlarged portions of the rolls and the bearing members and flows generally longitudinally of the enlarged fluted or boss portion of the corresponding roll. Thus, the air moves generally transversely to the fibers being processed and, since the fibers accumulate in the flutes of the fluted rolls to a greater extent than they normally do on the outer surfaces of the ridges formed by the flutes, the air moves generally parallel to the flutes and has a raking efiect on any fibers tending to accumulate in the flutes of the rolls. Thus, the fibers are drawn from the roll and are exh-austed to the collection and suction device.

The area through which the air is drawn into each suction head 65, 65 is so small relative to the over-all length and width of the longitudinal slots in the proximal ends of the upper and lower suction heads 65, 65 that it has been found that the suction heads may be maintained in engagement with the enlarged portions of the corresponding bearing members solely by the suction created within the suction heads 65, 65. However, the restraining means shown in the lower right-hand portion of Figure 4 is provided at each lower suction head 65' in order to maintain the heads 65' in proper position when the machine is not operating.

Opposite ends of the upper suction heads 65 may extend outwardly and be provided with a groove similar to the groove 54 shown in the enlarged portion 53 of the bearing member 52, if desired, and the hooked upper portions of the corresponding weight links 55 may be positioned upon the corresponding ends of the suction heads 65. However, it sometimes happens that small quantities of a sticky tar-like substance is present in the fibers being processed. From time to time, this substance will adhere to the peripheries of the boss portions or fluted portions of the rolls to such extent that such accumulations will engage the proximal surfaces of the side walls 66, 67 and 66', 67' of the respective suction heads 65, 65 and cause the corresponding suction heads 65 and/or 65 to move away from corresponding textile rolls. It is apparent that this will cause either or both of the opposite end portions of the corresponding suction heads to move away from the corresponding bearing members momentarily or until the tar-like substance is removed from the corresponding rolls.

It is apparent that, if the top and bottom suction heads 65, 65' were restrained from moving away from the rolls under the latter conditions, the rolls and/or the corresponding suction heads might become damaged. Since the detent 127 is yieldable, it is apparent that this would permit the corresponding ends of the lower suction head 65 to move away from the enlarged portion 43 of the corresponding bearing member 41 without becoming entirely disengaged from the corresponding detents 127.

It might be stated that, although the displacement between the outer surfaces of the ridges formed by the flutes in the top and bottom rolls shown in the drawings and the corresponding edges of the side walls of the corresponding suction heads 65, 65 is relatively slight, this is still suflicient to permit fine fly, lint and the like, to

pass therebetween. In the event that it will not pass therebetween, the fly, lint or the like merely rolls into the adjacent flutes and is then withdrawn therefrom as each flute passes within the confinement of the corre- In the instance of smooth-faced boss portions on the textile rolls, it may be desirable to increase the clearance between the edges of the side walls of the corresponding suction heads and the boss portions of the rolls to avoid an excessive build-up of fibers between the front edges of suction heads 65, 65' and the corresponding rolls. However, it has been found that this clearance need not necessarily exceed ten thousandths of an inch.

In Figures 8, 9 and 10, amodified form of the invention is shown wherein upper and lower suction heads are respectively broadly designated at and 135'. These suction heads 135, 135 are quite similar to the first forms of suction heads 65, 65' with the primary exception that the body of each of the suction heads 135, 135 is of the same depth throughout the length thereof so the suction heads are substantially segmentally circular or semi-circular in cross-section. The radius of the body portion of each of the suction heads 135, 135 is preferably less than the radius of the boss portion or fluted portion of the corresponding rolls so that the distance between opposite edges thereof is less than the diameter of the boss or fluted portions of the rolls. Of course, the body portions may extend through an arc greater than 180 and then be of greater radius than the rolls, just so long as opposed edges of the body portion are spaced close enough together to be spaced very close to the boss or fluted portion.

Like the first form of suction head, each end of the substantially semi-circular suction heads 135, 135' has a closure member 137 thereon which is provided with an arcuate inner surface 140 for engaging a corresponding bearing member, the conventional parts of the machine shown in Figures 8 and 9 having the same reference characters as the corresponding parts shown in Figures 1 through 7. A medial portion of each of the suction heads 135, 135 has a hollow neck portion 141 communicatively connected to or formed integral therewith which is provided with a tubular extension 142 corresponding to the tubular extensions 81 and 81' of the first form of the invention.

As is the case in the first form of the invention, the lower or opposite edges of the housings or suction heads 135, 135 are each arranged concentric with the surfaces 140 of the end closure members 137 and are formed about a radius slightly greater than the radius of the corresponding rolls so as to provide from five ten thousandths to ten thousandths of an inch clearance between the edges of the suction heads 135, 135' and the corresponding textile rolls.

The suction heads 135, 135 function in exactly the same manner as the suction heads 65, 65' and a further detailed illustration and description thereof is thus deemed unnecessary. Like parts in Figures 4 and 10 shall bear the same reference characters, except as noted above, to avoid repetitive description. It is apparent that notches 126 are formed in the lower suction head ends 137 (Figure 10) corresponding to the notches 126 in the closure members 71 (Figure 4).

It is thus seen that we have provided a novel method of clearing serially arranged sets of top and bottom rolls of a drafting mechanism utilizing individual suction heads for each roll whose confining walls are positioned in close proximity to the boss or fluted'portions of the rolls and extend beyond the ends of the latter portions of the rolls to thus draw air into and through the suction heads in directions substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the respective rolls. It is apparent that the flexible tubes or conduits 82, 82 permit relative movement between the suction heads and the corresponding manifolds and also facilitate removing the suction heads for replacement of corresponding rolls or for removing any accumulations of tar-like substance which may adhere to any of the rolls, as well as permitting adjustment of each set of rolls in each section relative to the other sets of rolls.

In the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention and, al-

though specific terms are employed, they are used in a 9 of limitation, the scope of theinvention being defined in the claims. 7 V

We claim:

1. The method of removing residual fibers from enlarged fluted portions of textile rolls whose flutes extend parallelwith the axes of the rolls which includes confining a substantial portion of the periphery of each roll throughout the length thereof while creating suction currents in the confined portion and influencing the suction currents to move in a direction generally parallel to the flutes of each roll. l

2. The method of cleaning textile rolls to prevent accumulations of lint, fly and the like thereon which includes applying suction in a confined air channel longitudinally of the periphery of each roll while causing currents effected by the suction to flow generally longitudinally of each roll and outwardly from each roll.

3. The method of removing residual fibers from enlarged portions of textile rolls which includes confining a substantial portion of the periphery of each roll throughout the length thereof while creating suction currents in the confined portion and influencing the suction currents to move in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of each roll.

4. In a drafting mechanism having serially arranged spaced sets of top and bottom rolls; the combination of an individual suction head for each such roll having side walls defining a longitudinally extending slot therein communicating with the corresponding roll, said side walls being disposed in close proximity to and out of engagement with the periphery of the corresponding roll, means forming an opening in each end of each suction head, and means for effecting moving currents of air into said openings and within each of said suction heads for carrying away lint and the like removed from the corresponding rolls by the currents of air.

5. In a drafting mechanism having serially arranged spaced sets of top and bottom rolls; the combination of a suction head for rolls of the latter character comprising elongated side walls defining a longitudinally extending slot therebetween communicating with the corresponding roll, means to support said side walls so as to maintain the same in close proximity to but out of engagement with the periphery of the corresponding roll, said side walls extending beyond at least one end of the roll to form an ingress opening in the corresponding end of the suction head, and means for effecting moving currents of air into said opening and within said suction head for carrying away lint and the like removed from the corresponding roll by the currents of air.

6. A device for collecting and removing residual fibers in machines for performing a textile operation on fibrous material and wherein said machine has cooperating rolls for passing fibers being processed therebetween, said device comprising a suction element extending longitudinally of each roll, said element being connected to a source of suction at its medial portion and being open throughout at least that portion of its length disposed adjacent the corresponding roll, said element at least partially encompassing said corresponding roll and having its opposite side edges disposed in close proximity to the periphery of the corresponding roll, said element being so arranged as to form ingress openings at opposite ends thereof thereby to cause air to flow into opposite ends of the element and generally longitudinally of the roll surfaces for withdrawing loose fly, lint and other Waste material from the roll surfaces resulting from the textile operation.

7. In a drafting mechanism having top and bottom rolls provided with enlarged boss portions thereon thereby forming reduced portions thereon, a suction head for each of said rolls comprising an elongated enclosure having a slot extending substantially throughout the length thereof and communicating with the periphery of the boss portion, opposite edges of the enclosure defining said slot being disposed in closely spaced relationship to the periphery of the boss portion, said slot extending beyond at least one end of the corresponding boss portion to provide an air ingress opening thereat, communicative means between a source of suction and a portion of said suction head substantially opposite from the corresponding roll whereby air is drawn into said ingress opening and generally longitudinally of the coresponding roll for removing loose'fly, lint and other waste material resulting from the drafting operation.

8. A suction head for textile rolls comprising an elongated housing provided with side walls defining a longitudinally extending slot therein, closure means on said housing for each end of the slot, said closure means each having a cavity therein forming an outer surface thereon disposed in substantially concentric relation to at least the proximal corners of the edges of the side walls defining said slot, and said housing having an opening therein for egress of air in its course through said slot.

9. A suction head for a textile roll having an enlarged medial portion, said head comprising an elongated housing of generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration forming opposed side edges, said side edges defining an elongated slot therebetween, closure means for each end of said housing and also defining said slot, said closure means having cavities therein forming surfaces thereon substantially concentric with said side edges, and means to communicatively connect a medial portion of said housing with a source of suction.

10. A suction head for cleaning textile rolls, said head comprising a housing of substantially U-shaped cross-sectional configuration forming opposed substantially parallel side edges defining a slot therebetween, means on opposite ends of said housing having bearing surfaces thereon substantially concentric with said side edges, taken collectively, for maintaining said side edges in predetermined closely spaced relation to a textile roll, said edges being so spaced that the housing partially encompasses said roll, and means to establish communication between a medial portion of said housing, spaced from the slot, and a source of suction.

11, In a drafting mechanism having top and bottom rolls provided with enlarged boss portions thereon thereby forming reduced portions thereon, a suction head for each of said rolls comprising an elongated enclosure having a slot extending substantially throughout the length thereof and communicating with the periphery of the boss portion, opposite edges of the enclosure defining said slot being disposed in closely spaced relationship to the periphery of the boss portion, said slot extending beyond opposite ends of the corresponding boss portion to provide air ingress openings thereat, communicative means between a source of suction and a portion of said suction head substantially opposite from the corresponding roll whereby the air is drawn into said ingress openings and generally longitudinally of the corresponding roll for removing loose fly, lint and other Waste material resulting from a drafting operation.

12. A structure according to claim 11 wherein said communicative means includes hollow manifolds extending transversely of opposite ends of the suction heads, a flexible conduit connected to each of said suction heads, alternate flexible conduits extending in a direction substantially opposite from the other flexible conduits of adjacent suction heads, said conduits being connected at their distal ends to the respective manifolds, and means communicatively connecting said source of suction to the manifolds.

13. In a drafting mechanism having sets of serially arranged spaced driven top and bottom rolls, each of the top and bottom rolls having an enlarged medial portion and having reduced end portions, and bearing members spaced from opposite ends of each enlarged medial portion and in which said reduced end portions are journaled; the combination of an elongated suction head for each of saidrrolls, said suction head having side Walls defining a longitudinal extending slot therein communicating with the corresponding roll, a closure means on opposite ends of each suction head adapted to bear against the corresponding bearing member whereby an air in gress opening is formed between each bearing member and the adjacent end of the enlarged medial portion for ingress of air into the corresponding suction head, and conduit means establishing connection between a substantially central portion of each suction head and a source of suction whereby suction currents enter opposite ends of each suction head and move generally longitudinally of the surfaces of the enlarged portions to carry away lint and the like removed from the corresponding roll solely by the suction currents.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,791,760 Kline Feb. 10, 1931 2,425,576 Thoma Aug. 12, 1947 2,719,335 Buchanan et a1 Oct. 4, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 254,770 Switzerland Jan. 3, 1949 272,211 Switzerland Mar. 1, 1951 

